Animals across Rushcliffe are set to benefit from the government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy, launched on Monday 22 December, which introduces the most ambitious reforms in a generation to protect pets, farmed animals and wildlife.
The Strategy will bring an end to cruel practices such as puppy farming and the use of snares, while strengthening protections for animals and closing loopholes that have allowed poor welfare standards to persist. The reforms will also support farmers by improving livestock health and productivity, helping to deliver the high animal welfare standards British consumers expect.
The Animal Welfare Strategy, launched by the Environment Secretary, will reform outdated legislation, regulations and practices that have failed to keep pace with the latest scientific evidence and have been exploited by a minority.
James Naish MP said: “Having worked with the RSPCA and Humane World for Animals to advocate for stronger wildlife protection laws in the UK, I’m pleased to finally see a new Animal Welfare Strategy being tabled, with many of the proposals due to be consulted upon in the New Year with impacted industries.
“I welcome that the Strategy acknowledges that ‘specific areas of wildlife legislation which have become out-dated or in need of amendment to better protect wild animals’, but more detail is needed to ensure a truly integrated approach to animal welfare is adopted and implemented.”
Under the new plans, the inhumane practice of puppy farming will be tackled, ending situations where breeding dogs are kept in appalling conditions, overbred and denied proper care. Puppies raised in these environments often suffer long-term health and behavioural problems. The Strategy builds on recent legislation that has already ended puppy smuggling.
Farm animals in England and Wales will also be better protected from dog attacks through strengthened Livestock Worrying laws. Tougher penalties and enhanced police powers will help reduce the emotional and financial strain these attacks place on farming communities.
James Naish continued: “Having a new Animal Welfare Strategy is a landmark step. Animal-lovers tell me repeatedly that more could and should have been done over the past decade to protect pets, farm animals and wildlife. Now we have a vehicle to ensure that high standards of care are implemented, and people who ignore or purposefully undermine these standards will be appropriately punished.
“We must, however, ensure that the additional costs of enforcing high welfare standards is recognised, which is why this document must work hand in hand with the Farming Profitability Review 2025 published last week.”
Launching the strategy, Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: “We’re a nation of animal lovers. This government is delivering the most ambitious animal welfare strategy in a generation.
“We’ve already acted to improve zoo standards, end puppy smuggling and protect livestock from dog attacks. Now, we’re planning to ban caged hens, cruel snares, trail hunting and curb low-welfare dog breeding.”
Key measures in the Animal Welfare Strategy include:
Improving welfare for companion animals by:
- Reforming dog breeding practices to improve health and welfare and end puppy farming.
- Consulting on a ban on electric shock collars due to the potential harm they cause.
- Considering new licensing requirements for domestic rescue and rehoming organisations to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.
Improving welfare for farmed animals by:
- Moving away from confinement systems such as colony cages for laying hens and pig farrowing crates.
- Addressing welfare concerns linked to the use of carbon dioxide to stun pigs.
- Introducing humane slaughter requirements for farmed fish to prevent avoidable suffering.
Protecting wild animals by:
- Banning trail hunting amid concerns it is being used to mask illegal hunting.
- Banning snare traps, which cause suffering and can trap pets.
- Introducing a close season for hares to reduce shooting during the breeding season, protecting vulnerable young.
The strategy builds on the government’s strong record on animal welfare, including new world-leading zoo standards and the passage of the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act 2025 and the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill.
The government will work with stakeholders to deliver the strategy in full by 2030.
